Key Insights from HLTH 2024

Last week, our team from Amalgama attended HLTH 2024 in Las Vegas—the largest health innovation event in the USA. Representing Amalgama, our co-founders, José Tedin and Gonzalo Amuchastegui immersed themselves in the latest trends, connected with key partners, and gathered valuable insights into the evolving landscape of healthcare.

To contribute to the community, we’re sharing this article to offer the learnings and insights we gained from the event, which we’re sure will be helpful for many in the industry—whether you attended or missed the event.

About the Event

HLTH is one of the world’s largest and most influential health innovation events, held annually since 2018. Bringing together over 10,000 attendees from across the globe, HLTH offers a platform for leaders in technology, wellness, and medicine to explore groundbreaking solutions in health and wellness. The event spans multiple days with numerous sessions, panels, and networking opportunities, making it a key gathering for shaping the future of healthcare.

Key Insights 

1. The rising cost of Healthcare and the need for Preventive Health

One of the most impactful insights was the staggering cost of healthcare in the U.S., with chronic diseases accounting for nearly 90% of total expenses. This highlights an urgent need for a shift from reactive “sick-care” to proactive, preventive health.

The event emphasized the potential of data and AI in enabling early detection and personalized care, although many solutions remain costly.

–> To become widely adopted, these innovations must demonstrate clear outcomes and cost savings to gain support from insurers and healthcare providers.

2. Nutrition as Healthcare’s first line of defense

Nutrition emerged as a central theme at HLTH 2024. The “food as medicine” approach emphasizes the importance of nutrition in preventing illness.
Key insights included:

• Nutrition as a Foundation: Nutrition is essential in healthcare, with an emphasis on teaching people about food as medicine.
• Education is Key: Providing access to high-quality food is only part of the solution; education on nutrition empowers people to make informed choices.
• Evaluating Long-Term Impact: A 12-month period is often needed to see measurable results from nutritional interventions.

This focus on nutrition reinforces its role in preventive health and reducing dependency on medical treatments.

–> If the need and opportunity lie in nutrition education, how can we, through our businesses, create solutions that make this education more accessible and impactful?

3. Technology’s role in Personalization and Early Detection

Consumers today expect seamless digital experiences, and healthcare is no exception. HLTH 2024 showcased AI and data-driven solutions that make personalized health possible:

• AI for Early Detection: AI-powered tools monitor health metrics, enabling early detection of issues and timely intervention.
• Data-Driven Personalization: With big data, companies can tailor wellness recommendations to individual lifestyles and needs.

While promising, these technologies face scalability challenges, especially regarding cost and accessibility. Making these solutions affordable is critical for wider adoption.

–> We know that personalization is one of the key factors impacting retention. So, how can we achieve this level of personalization in our businesses? And before diving into the “how,” a critical question to prioritize and avoid unnecessary costs is: Do we truly know our users/customers? Do we understand what kind of personalization they seek, what they value, and what they don’t?

4. Building Trust through Proven Outcomes

For new health tech solutions to succeed, they must demonstrate proven results. HLTH 2024 emphasized that case studies and measurable outcomes are essential for gaining support from insurers and stakeholders. Success stories showing improved health outcomes and cost savings help build trust and drive adoption.

–> Having the right data is essential, but the real value comes from translating it into actionable insights that build trust and drive results. Are we effectively using our data to demonstrate clear, measurable outcomes?

Looking Forward

HLTH 2024 offered us invaluable insights and the chance to connect with leading minds in health and wellness. As we bring these learnings back to Amalgama, we remain committed to advancing wellness through technology, empowering people to take charge of their health, and shifting the focus toward preventive care.

We’re excited to see how these insights will shape our work and the wellness industry as a whole. If you want to stay informed and be the first to know about the latest in health and fitness technology, follow us on LinkedIn—we’re constantly sharing updates and innovations!